Report: New York Yankees Player Brett Gardner’s Son Miller’s Official Cause of Death Revealed

The official cause of death for Brett Gardner’s son, Miller, has been confirmed.

On Wednesday, April 2, authorities revealed that the 14-year-old tragically passed away due to carbon monoxide exposure while the family was vacationing in Costa Rica. Randall Zúñiga, the director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ), told the Associated Press that Miller tested positive for carboxyhemoglobin, a compound that forms when carbon monoxide is inhaled. According to Medscape, this stable complex is found in red blood cells after carbon monoxide exposure.

A carboxyhemoglobin level above 50% is considered fatal, and Miller’s was found to be 64%, Zúñiga reported. The autopsy also revealed a “layer” on Miller’s organs, indicating the presence of the toxic gas. Zúñiga noted that a machine room adjacent to their accommodations might have been a source of the contamination.

Last Monday, the hotel where the family stayed, Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, denied reports of “high levels of carbon monoxide contamination” and stated that the carbon monoxide levels in the room were “non-existent and non-lethal.” PEOPLE contacted the hotel for further comments on the OIJ’s findings.

The MLB team had announced Miller’s death in March, expressing the family’s sorrow and revealing that he had passed away on March 21st after becoming ill while on vacation. The family described Miller as a beloved son and brother, known for his “infectious smile.” They expressed gratitude for the support received during this heartbreaking time and requested privacy as they mourned.

Earlier in March, authorities had ruled out asphyxiation as the cause of death, following initial reports that Miller might have died from food poisoning. Costa Rican officials had stated that autopsy results could take up to two to three months due to high demand for autopsies.

On March 31, Zúñiga released a video statement confirming that a “hazardous atmospheres” team had detected high levels of carbon monoxide in the family’s room, which led investigators to suspect that Miller’s death was caused by inhaling the dangerous gas. Zúñiga also pointed out the nearby machine room, which is believed to have contributed to the contamination.